Barnsdale bluebells

Monday 1 May 2017. A seven mile walk with Norma, begun at 9.30. Dry, not cold. One mini shower.
From Sykes Lane car park , past Whitwell, through Barnsdale wood and to the road past Barnsdale and back, following the small path through the woods, and by the lakeside back to the normal track.

I have been out here three or four times in the last two weeks and the photographs are from several visits. A stunning display of bluebells, alongside red campion, cowslips and stitchwort.

Today we saw several house martins by the reservoir.

Uffington, Casewick, Barholm, Greatford

Thursday 27 April 2017, starting at 10.20.  With Maureen.  A cold grey day, with occasional drizzle, and a chilly wind.
This is the route we took in December 2013.

We parked on School Lane, and walked back to Casewick Lane where we turned left. We followed the road to the estate gates, 

From here the lane becomes a public footpath and leads past the house and other buildings. 

Lady smock flowers?

The hall

and its ha-ha

 The path crosses a couple of fields and goes over the railway line. Definitely a case for crossing with care, as the trains pass at over 100 mph. However, the right of way is still there.

Clearly marked paths along field edges lead into Barholm, where we turned right and then left immediately after the church.

The path is clear, over fields and a bridge over Greatford Cut.

Mobile phone mast and trees.

Inspired by Monet?

Inside Greatford church

An unusual stained glass window

After a quick visit to the church, we continued along Greatford Gardens and walked along to the end, where the gates and boundary of Greatford Hall are protected with some vicious looking razor wire.  The footpath turns right, and then left through the trees. Turn right at the end of the woods, then cross an arable field - easy enough at this time of year.

Cows and calves in the fields of Shillingthorpe Park

The path turns slightly left, keeping the wood on the right, and then follows the track through Shillingthorpe Park, over the River West Glen to the road. We turned right and walked for about a mile along this road. There is a level crossing at around the half mile mark.
At the next junction we turned left, and very soon joined the bridleway to the right.Shortly before the bridleway joins a road our path goes to the left, along field edges, over a footbridge and on for some distance. Eventually it turns right and we walk for a mile or so towards Uffington.

View of Burghley House across the valley.

When we meet the main Stamford - Deepings road we turn left, and walk as far as the church gates, turn left through the churchyard and out on the other side at School Lane.

Stamford, Belmesthorpe, Uffington, Stamford Canal

With Maureen, April 17 2017 10 am.  This is the route I followed on April 10th 2017, and on April 4th 2017, but in reverse and with an extra mile or so added on to include Belmesthorpe and the lamas/alpacas.  Total 7.8 miles, in dry weather, with good conditions underfoot, but still cooled by the wind in spite of some sun.

We set off from Stamford and walked round the back of Morrisons to the Ryhall Road, where we turned right at the post office.  After a hundred yards or so we turned right at a public footpath sign, and followed the track through the demolished railway bridge and over the fields to the bridge over the Gwash, then climbed gently up to where the path meets the road to Belmesthorpe. We turned left along this road, as far as the village.

 At Belmestorpe we turned right then took the first road on the right (Castle Rise), which leads to a footpath between two fences and out into the fields. One short stretch of dry ploughed land, then a pleasant fenced footpath which led us past the lamas (alpacas) looking very woolly and quite tubby - I reckon the air is too oxygen-rich for these high Andean specialist, but they look happy enough.

 There are a few pigs as well, and the next field was full of sheep with lambs.

From here we joined the route I took the other day, not quite touching the same ground twice, though we could see the road. We turned left just before Cobbs Nook Farm and followed the bridleway ahead, then left, then right across a footbridge. We met a man doing a recce for a walk - he assured me the railway is still crossable just after Casewick - I shall have to investigate.  We continued and turned right again some distance further on. This bridleway took us to the main road into Uffington. We followed the road, as far as the gate to the church. The churchyard is looking a little unkempt now the daffodils are over, but we found a sunny sheltered bench for a break.

We walked along School Lane, turned left into Casewick Lane and soon right along Manners Close.

Soon we went over a stile on our left, following the permissive path through a large garden with a pond.  The path fro here is well signed, and took us out to the main road after about half a mile.

At the main road we crossed over to the footway, and turned right towards the gate to the former Uffington Manor, where this slightly stoned looking character is one a pair on the gateposts.

A left turn took us to Uffington Bridge over the Welland. Just before the bridge we took the footpath along the tow path of the former Stamford Canal. 

After a mile or so we went through the kissing gate annd walked along the edge of one field, and over a footbridge across the Gwash.  The path through a field of sheep with lambs leads to a gate and the track from Hudds Mill. 

The track turns right and heads to the Uffington Road. A short walk towards the town brought us to Morrisons roundabout, and lunch in the café.

Stamford, Stamford Canal, Uffington

Monday 10 April 2017.  With Norma and Eddie. 6.5 miles, mainly flat. Weather fine and dry, but not as warm as the weekend.

Exactly the same route as last Tuesday, with fewer photographs . . . I give the details on that post.

Uffington Bridge

A mystery tree

Coffee break outside Uffington church.

Norma and I finished with lunch in Morrisons cafe, and a mini shopping expedition.

Langton Caudle

Thursday 06 April

A lovely morning for a short stroll, and a chance to check part of "my" section of the Leicestershire Round.

Last time I walked over the Caudle from Thorpe Langton, a year ago in February, I met the worst three sections of mud for ages. Cattle, horses and farm vehicles had power-mixed soil that had been rained on. I've been waiting for better conditions, so today was the day.

I parked on the track opposite the road to Stonton Wyville and walked away from the village.

A few metres along the track I turn left on to the LR and take the bridleway uphill through a field of rape. A climb of around 50 metres is a good way to jolt muscles and heart into action! This mud is at least dry.

Looking back towards Stonton Wyville

At the top of field I go through the gate, ignore a wide opening on the right, and walk along the edge of a field, with a hedge on my right.

All signage good and clear asI follow the route to the "summit"-  (147 m).

Thorpe Langton to the south

Just 0.6 miles done, but hell, the view is good, the daffodils are blooming, the sun is shining and it's coffee time.

I follow the track south - it's possible simply to keep close to  the hedge on the right at this point. Very soon the bridleway and footpath diverge. I follow the footpath. (Note to self - a LR sticker wouldn't go amiss here, but of course I've left mine at home today.)

The footpath goes back to the hedge and continues downhill. The next yellow way marker isn't obvious at first

Before . . .

so I do my best, but it needs stronger securing in place.Maybe I need to carry a large hammer and long nails?

...and after.

Blackthorn and gorse are flowering profusely. Spring is indeed a lovely season.

The way marks are clear, but then I spot the slough of despond from last year.

This year I keep my feet and boots almost dry,

Look we have come through!

though it sure ain't pretty.

In the last field before the stile there are just a couple of horses now, with a bull in the field beyond.

It's a bit muddy near the stile, but there's a raised section and it presents no problem.

Across the bridge and round to the track

View toward the Caudle

Almost back . . .

I cross the stream, and turn back on myself on the other side to take the farm track back to the car. Quite a few butterflies seen today, and possibly a glimpse of a hare - I have seen a few recently. 2.8 miles in all, taken at a leisurely pace - very enjoyable and job partly done!